One of the fun things about writing about Japanese technology is that every once in a while you come across a device that elicits both genuine admiration and a jaw-dropping reaction. And I'm delighted to report on two such gadgets today, both of which have generated some pretty significant Internet buzz.
Produced by Japanese company Neurowave, Necomimi are one of the most intriguing inventions I've seen in a long time. A fascinating combination of fashion and function, they resemble the cute wearable cat ears that you may see on a maid at a cafe in Akihabara or which some Japanese girls may wear to a fancy-dress party or cosplay event. What makes these Necomini special is that they actually move in relation to the varying brainwaves of the user.
The name literally sounds like "cat ears" in Japanese, but "neco" (the word for cat) also stands for "neuro-communication." Depending on how the wearer is feeling, the ears will behave differently: When the person is concentrating on something — a cute guy perhaps — the ears will stand up straight. But when the wearer relaxes, the ears will flatten out and lay low.